St. Petersburg, Florida · Departing Maximo Park
Private Boat Charters in St. Petersburg
Fort De Soto's sandbars, Shell Key, and the submerged Civil War ruins at Egmont Key — all within reach of one boat ramp on the south side of St. Pete. Your group only, up to 6 guests, no fixed route.
Check availability Or call and text 727-355-3717 — we'll help you figure out the right day.
The short answer
Wayward Key Tours runs private boat charters from Maximo Park in St. Petersburg for up to 6 guests. From this ramp you can reach the Fort De Soto sandbars, Shell Key Preserve, Egmont Key, Passage Key, the Sunshine Skyway, the Don CeSar from the water, and the dolphin channels of southern Pinellas. Fort De Soto is 20–30 minutes out and fits a 2.5-hour Gulf Escape ($350 flat). Egmont Key and Passage Key are 40+ minutes each way and require the 4-hour Half-Day Charter ($400 for up to 4 guests, plus $50 per additional guest). Captain Keith is USCG-licensed, a former Navy diver, and a cardiac registered nurse.
Where we go from St. Pete
Run times matter here. Charter length decides how far you get.
Fort De Soto, Tierra Verde & Boca Ciega Bay
20–30 minutes out · fits a 2.5-hour Gulf Escape
This is the sweet spot for a shorter charter. Fort De Soto's sandbars are shallow, clear, and far less crowded than the ones up north — and they shift constantly with the tides, which is why timing matters more than location. Captain Keith plans around tidal conditions rather than showing up and hoping.
The dolphins through here are worth the trip on their own. This isn't a stretch where you glimpse a fin and call it a sighting — dolphins in this area jump.
Shell Key Preserve
Undeveloped · excellent shelling · reliable dolphins
An undeveloped barrier island with calm water, very little traffic, and some of the best shelling in Pinellas County. Dolphins are consistently spotted through this stretch, which makes it easy to combine wildlife with a quiet beach walk.
Guests comment on the contrast every time — twenty minutes from a busy beach scene to an island with nobody on it.
The Sunshine Skyway from underneath
Tampa Bay · genuinely worth the run
We go right up to the Skyway and pass beneath it. From the water you look up at cars and trucks that have shrunk to toy size, and the bridge reads completely differently depending on which angle you approach from.
The best version is when a cruise ship or commercial freighter passes under. The scale is hard to describe — the bridge makes the ship look small until the ship gets close, and then neither of them looks real. Those big vessels throw enormous wakes, and dolphins will surf and jump off the bow.
The Don CeSar and the St. Pete Beach coastline
On the way out · no extra time needed
The Pink Palace is one of Florida's genuine landmarks — a 1928 hotel that has hosted F. Scott Fitzgerald, served as a military hospital during World War II, and anchored the St. Pete Beach skyline ever since. From the water you get the full facade at once, that improbable pink rising straight out of the Gulf, without a parking lot or a palm tree in the way.
It photographs best in late afternoon when the light warms up and the pink goes almost coral. Guests who've driven past it a dozen times still reach for their phones when they see it from this angle.
Egmont Key
40+ minutes out · Half-Day Charter only
Partially submerged Civil War-era battery ruins sit just off the beach — unusual snorkeling with structure that draws rays, fish, and turtles. There's an 1848 lighthouse, free-roaming gopher tortoises, and sea turtle nesting beaches. Captain Keith has waded shallow sandy stretches there where every single step landed on a sand dollar.
Be realistic about the time. Between the run out, anchoring, actually being on the island, and the run back, this needs the full four hours. Snorkeling at Egmont is not possible on a 2.5-hour charter — we'd rather say so up front than have you feel rushed.
The channel out is usually rougher, and Egmont sits where Tampa Bay currents meet the Gulf. Captain Keith checks conditions before committing and will suggest an alternative if the water isn't right.
Passage Key
40+ minutes out · Half-Day Charter · tide-dependent
Passage Key is at its best on a low tide, when the sandbar emerges and you can walk it. At high tide that same sandbar can sit a couple of feet underwater — same spot, completely different experience, entirely down to timing.
Two things to know. First, it's a clothing-optional island. People may be nude on their boats or walking the beach. We mention it so nobody is caught off guard, and families can decide in advance whether to include it.
Second, the tides here are no joke. We were out one afternoon as the water dropped and watched several boats beach themselves on the bar. Captain Keith got one back to safety; another was stuck too hard and simply had to wait for the tide to come back — they pulled out their fishing poles and made an afternoon of it. A third was taking on water, and the crew spent about forty minutes bailing while the tide kept falling. You'll often see a tow boat idling nearby, because operators know exactly how often this happens here.
That's the difference between a captain who knows these waters and one who doesn't.
Days we remember
Some of what has actually happened out there.
Dolphins at the Skyway, sunset
A family was out with us as the sun was going down and a pod settled in around the Skyway. The dolphins were surfacing and slapping their tails with the sun behind them, right as the bridge lights started coming on. Nobody said much for a while.
A migration of cownose rays
We were running a group along Egmont Key when we came across a school of cownose rays on the move — hundreds of them, wing tips breaking the surface, all traveling in the same direction beneath clear water. Cownose rays migrate in large schools, but actually being in the right water at the right moment to see it happen is mostly luck.
Nobody on that boat had ever seen anything like it. We got photographs, which is the only reason we can prove it happened.
The day Egmont didn't work out
A family came out to snorkel Egmont Key and the water was just a little too rough to be enjoyable. Instead of forcing it, Captain Keith tucked into one of the small alcoves off Fort De Soto. They ended up finding live sand dollars in the shallows and said it was better than what they'd planned. That flexibility is the whole argument for a private boat.
A conch, crossing the floor
A family visiting from Arizona joined us for a run down to the sandbar between Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key. The water was clear enough to watch a large live conch making its slow way across the bottom. Crabs scuttled past, everyone floated on the Sunchill and chair floaties, and the houses along the shoreline looked like something out of a magazine. For guests coming from the desert, it landed hard.
Departing from Maximo Park
Everything you need to know before you arrive.
The practical details
- Getting there
- Maximo Park sits on the southern St. Petersburg waterfront — about 25–30 minutes by car from most St. Pete Beach hotels and rentals, and closer if you're staying in St. Petersburg proper or Tierra Verde.
- Parking
- Free, with plenty of spaces. No permit, no meter, no hunting for a spot.
- Which ramp
- Maximo Park has two separate boat ramp areas. Call or text us as you're heading in and we'll tell you exactly which one to come to that day.
- When to arrive
- Fifteen minutes before departure. That's enough time to gather your things, use the restroom, and get settled without rushing.
- Restroom
- There is one at the park, but let's be straight with you — it's a basic campground-style outhouse, not a marina facility. Plan accordingly before you arrive. There is a proper restroom onboard the boat.
- After your charter
- Maximo Park has a small beach with shade trees. It's not the prettiest beach in Pinellas, but it's a pleasant spot to sit for a while if you're not in a hurry to leave.
Charter options
Both are fully private — the whole boat is reserved for your group. The main difference isn't comfort, it's range: how far out you can realistically get and back.
2.5 hours
Gulf Escape
$350 flat
Up to 6 guests
- Fort De Soto, Tierra Verde, Boca Ciega Bay
- Sandbar stop and dolphin watching
- Sunset cruise timing available
- Does not reach Egmont or Passage Key
4 hours · Recommended
Half-Day Charter
$400
Up to 4 guests · +$50 per additional guest, max 6
- Reaches Egmont Key and Passage Key
- The only option for snorkeling Egmont
- Combine Fort De Soto with Shell Key
- Skyway pass-under with time to spare
What's included
Sunset charters include complimentary champagne splits. Minimum guest age is 5, per USCG Type I life vest requirements. No pets onboard.
Why a private charter
A public tour runs a fixed route on a fixed clock with strangers aboard. If the dolphins show up late, you leave anyway. If your group loves the sandbar, you leave anyway.
A private charter is the whole boat, reserved only for you. Captain Keith builds the route in real time around tides, conditions, wildlife, and what your group is actually enjoying. Stay longer somewhere. Skip something that isn't landing. Change plans halfway through.
For groups of four or more, the per-person cost is often comparable to a public tour — while the experience isn't comparable at all.
Private vs public tours
The real differences in route, timing, group size, and flexibility.
What it costs
Full pricing breakdown and how private compares to per-person tours.
Rent a boat instead?
Why navigating these channels without local knowledge is harder than it looks.
Planning your charter
Your first charter
What happens from the moment you arrive to the moment your photos land.
What to bring
Sunscreen, hat, towels, water shoes. We handle the cooler and ice.
Weather & booking
What happens if conditions turn, and how rescheduling works.
Celebrating something
Birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, bachelorette parties, honeymoon add-ons.
Snorkeling honestly
No coral reefs here — what you'll actually see, and the best months.
Dock and dine
Add a waterfront restaurant stop — Doc Ford's at the St. Pete Pier is a favorite.
Choosing the right charter — including ours
There are several good charter operations working these waters, and we know most of them. Everyone offers something a little different, and the right fit depends more on you than on any ranking.
Three things worth doing before you book anyone:
- Say clearly what you want. A sandbar day, snorkeling, dolphins, sunset, or a quiet cruise are different trips. Operators can only build the day you describe.
- Understand the boat. Size, shade, restroom, water access, and how it handles chop all shape the day. Ours is a 23-foot World Cat — a catamaran hull, stable in Gulf conditions, with a restroom onboard.
- Consider the crew. You're spending hours in a small space with these people. Personality fit matters more than most guests expect.
If that sounds like us, we'd love to have you. If another operator is a better match for what you're picturing, that's a good outcome too.
Common questions
Where do St. Petersburg charters depart from?
Maximo Park on the southern St. Petersburg waterfront. Parking is free with plenty of spaces. The park has two separate boat ramp areas, so call or text us as you're heading in and we'll direct you to the right one.
How much does a private boat charter in St. Petersburg cost?
The 2.5-hour Gulf Escape is $350 flat for up to 6 guests. The 4-hour Half-Day Charter is $400 for up to 4 guests, plus $50 per additional guest to a maximum of 6. Both are fully private with no hidden fees — cooler, ice, snorkeling gear, and photos are included.
How many people can come?
Up to 6 guests. That's a USCG requirement under Captain Keith's 6-Pack license, not a preference. Minimum age is 5, because USCG Type I life vests don't fit smaller children safely.
Can we get to Egmont Key on a 2.5-hour charter?
No. Egmont Key and Passage Key are 40+ minutes each way from Maximo Park, and that's before anchoring and actually spending time there. Both require the 4-hour Half-Day Charter. Snorkeling at Egmont is not possible on a 2.5-hour trip. A Gulf Escape covers Fort De Soto, Tierra Verde, and Boca Ciega Bay comfortably.
How long is the drive to Maximo Park?
About 25–30 minutes from most St. Pete Beach hotels and vacation rentals. Less if you're staying in St. Petersburg itself or on Tierra Verde. Build that into your timing, and plan to arrive 15 minutes before departure.
How long does it take to reach each destination?
Fort De Soto is roughly 20–30 minutes from Maximo Park. Passage Key and Egmont Key are 40 minutes or more. Weather changes this — rough conditions slow the run, and the channel out toward Egmont is typically the roughest stretch. Captain Keith factors that into planning rather than pushing to keep a schedule.
What is Passage Key like?
Best at low tide, when the sandbar emerges and you can walk it. At high tide the same bar can sit a couple of feet underwater. Worth knowing before you go: Passage Key is clothing-optional, so people may be nude on their boats or on the beach. We mention it so it isn't a surprise, particularly for families.
Can we see the Don CeSar from the boat?
Yes. The Pink Palace sits right on the St. Pete Beach shoreline and is visible from the water on most routes heading out. Seeing the whole facade at once from the Gulf is a different experience from driving past it — and late afternoon light is when it looks best.
Will we see dolphins?
No captain can promise wildlife, but the odds here are good. The channels around Fort De Soto, Tierra Verde, and Shell Key are active dolphin habitat, and the population is resident rather than migratory, so they're here year-round. Dolphins in this area are known to jump rather than simply surface — and they'll surf the wakes of the big ships passing under the Skyway.
Are there manatees near Fort De Soto?
We'll be straight with you: we haven't personally seen them there, so we won't promise it. The habitat suits them — there's extensive sea grass they feed on — and other boaters report sightings. But we'd rather set the expectation honestly than have you spend the day waiting. Dolphins are the reliable wildlife here.
Is there a restroom at the boat ramp?
There's a basic campground-style outhouse at the park — functional, not fancy. We'd rather tell you now than have it be a surprise. The boat itself has a proper restroom onboard.
Can we bring our own food and drinks?
Yes, and most guests do. A cooler and ice are provided. Alcohol is fine in non-glass containers. Some groups bring a full spread and make an afternoon of it at a sandbar.
How far in advance should we book?
One to two weeks is a good target, especially for weekends and peak season — spring break, summer, and holiday weekends. Only one group goes out at a time, so dates fill. Last-minute is always worth asking about.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Safety comes first. If conditions make the trip unsafe or unpleasant, we'll work with you to reschedule. Captain Keith watches the forecast in the days before your charter and will reach out directly if anything needs to change. Florida weather moves fast — a doubtful morning often clears by midday.
Should we depart from St. Petersburg or Clearwater?
It depends on what you want to see, not which is better. St. Pete reaches Fort De Soto, Shell Key, Egmont Key, Tampa Bay, and Skyway views, with better manatee odds. Clearwater reaches Caladesi, Honeymoon Island, Anclote Key, and Three Rooker. If you're staying south, Maximo Park is almost certainly your answer.
Your day, your boat, your pace
Tell us what sounds good — a Fort De Soto sandbar, snorkeling the ruins at Egmont, dolphins through the channels, or a sunset over open Gulf. Captain Keith builds the route from there.
Book your St. Petersburg charter Questions first? Call or text 727-355-3717 · contact@waywardkeytours.com